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STATEMENT AND RESIGNATION 

OF 

PRESIDENT JOHN W. ABERCROMBIE 

OF THE 

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA 
With Resolutions Adopted by the Board of Tfttstees 



THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 

University of Alabama. 

Gentlemen : 

It is generally understood that you have under considera- 
tion the advisability of making a change in the presidency of 
the University. For that and other reasons which will appear 
later, it will not be inappropriate for me to submit this state- 
ment. In fact, it seems to be necessary, that justice may be 
done to all of the interests involved, namely, the University, the 
State, the Board and myself. 

In order to determine whether my administration has been 
such as to merit approval and deserve continuation, it will be 
necessary to compare subsequent and present conditions with 
those which existed before and at the time of my election. If 
after a trial of nine years such a comparison does not indicate 
satisfactory progress in the development of the institution, it is 
manifestly your duty to make a change. If, on the contrary, it 
should show substantial and satisfactory progress, I respectfully 
submit that, under the circumstances, it is equally your duty to 
all concerned so to declare in no uncertain terms. 

Prior to my election in 1902, 1 had been for several years 
as State Superintendent of Education, ex officio, a member of 
the Board of Trustees. Hence the statements which I make are 
based upon a personal knowledge of the facts. 



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FORMER CONDITIONS 

For years the University had been in a state of unrest, and 
at times of almost complete disruption. Important internal de- 
tails which in all successfully conducted institutions are dele- 
gated to the president and faculty, were sought to be adminis- 
tered directly by the Board of Trustees, the results of which un- 
wise and impracticable policy were the embarrassment and 
weakening of the college authorities in the performance of their 
duties, frequent appeals to the Board from students and parents 
in matters relating to discipline and scholarship, the application 
of political methods in the conduct of important internal affairs, 
the involuntary resignation of presidents and other officers who 
should have been sustained and retained. No officer, however 
competent and faithful, felt secure in his position. The Univer- 
sity was in disrepute among both the alumni and the great mass 
of the people, especially the latter. As was aptly and forcefully 
stated by a member of the Board itself, "The institution was al- 
most trusteed to death." 

ELECTION AND POWERS 

When the University was in that condition; when the three 
preceding presidents, all able men, had deemed it wise if not 
necessary to resign, two within a year; when the presidency was 
generally regarded as a death-trap, — I was approached by cer- 
tain members of the Board of Trustees, two of whom are still 
members and will recall the incident, and asked if I would ac- 
cept the position. I answered that I would not think of doing 
so under conditions and terms that had brought failure to other 
and abler men; that in my opinion the Board itself had been 
responsible for practically all of the University's troubles and 
lack of progress; and that I saw no prospect of a change of policy 
upon the part of the Board. They replied that they had been 
favorably impressed with the suggestions which I had offered from 
time to time; that the former policies of the Board had proved 
to be unsatisfactory and disastrous; that they considered me to 
be the best man for the position; and that they believed the 
Board would be pleased to have me accept the presidency upon 
my own terms. 

The result was that finally I consented to accept with the 

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TMP96-023i49 









understanding that I should be elected for an indeterminate 
period, either party being at liberty to sever the connection at 
will; that I should nominate all subordinate officers, subject to 
confirmation by election by the Board; that I with the faculty 
should have original and final jurisdiction in all matters per- 
taining to discipUne; and that I should have and exercise such 
other powers as might prove to be necessary for a successful 
administration of the University. Afterwards I was made, ex 
OFFICIO, a member of each of the standing committees of the 
Board, with all of the privileges and powers of members except 
that of voting. 

Under these conditions and terms, some formally and some 
informally stated, I entered upon a performance of my duties. 
It is unnecessary for me to assure you that I have found the 
position to be no sinecure, no easy-chair, no bed of roses. With 
what degree of success I have served, the record itself should 
testify. 

MATERIAL EQUIPMENT 

I found the material equipment to be very inadequate, far 
inferior to that of many high schools in other states, and with a 
valuation of about $250,000.00. The plant has been reconstruct- 
ed and enlarged, and when the recently authorized State appro- 
priation has been expended will represent a valuation of about 
$850,000.00, an increase of $600,000.00, or 240 per cent. 

Three large college buildings, beautiful and well-appointed, 
have been erected. The first, Comer Hall, accomodates the new 
college of engineering with its laboratories, the department of 
physics and the power plant; the second, Smith Hall, houses the 
state geological survey, the geological museum and the depart- 
ments of geology and biology; in the third, Morgan Hall, will be 
located the college of arts and sciences, the school of education, 
the auditorium and temporarily the offices of administration. 

Electric lighting, steam heating, water and sewerage sys- 
tems have been installed; the college dormitories have been re- 
modeled and equipped with modern conveniences; the building 
of the school of medicine has been remodeled and enlarged, and 
supplied with needed laboratory apparatus; the dining-room and 
kitchen have been improved, the latter being completely rebuilt 
and equipped with up-to-date culinary furnishings. 

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A concrete building with reinforced concrete dam has been 
erected on the University spring branch for the accomodation 
of the hydrauUc engineering laboratory, and the old laundry 
building has been converted into a foundry and black-smith 
shop for the department of mechanical engineering. 

The school of law now occupies a separate building, the one 
formerly devoted to physics. It is necessary no longer to use 
the dormitories for teaching purposes. With the erection of the 
four other buildings in contemplation (library, gymnasium, Y. 
M. C. A. hall and dormitory for women), the material equipment 
will be practically complete. 

MAINTENANCE INCOME 

In 1902 the income from State appropriations for manten- 
ance was $36,000.00, the sum fixed by the constitution as inter- 
est on the amount due by the State for moneys received from 
the sale of University lands. Then the annual income from the 
endowment was almost negligible, being only $50.00 for the pre- 
ceding year. 

At each regular session of the the Legislature since that 
date, additional appropriations for support have been made, and 
when the recently authorized appropriations are available the 
annual maintenance income from the State will amount to 
$121,000.00, an increase of $85,000.00, or 236 per cent. If to the 
amount appropriate by the State be added the sum of $20,000.00, 
the present income from the endowment, and the further sum 
of $3,000.00, a donation from the General Education Board for 
the salary and traveling expenses of a professor of secondary 
education, the total annual income for support, excluding the 
sum received from fees, which has doubled, amounts to 
$144,000.00, an increase of $108,000.00, or 300 per cent. 

NEW APPROPRIATIONS 

At the close of the quadrennial period beginning on Jan- 
uary 1st, 1911, the new appropriations for equipment and sup- 
port authorized by the Legislature during my administration 
will amount to $1,040,000.00, which sum is greater by $980,000.00 
than the amount of similar appropriations for the preceding 
equal period. In making these appropriations the State is only 
doing for her university what other states are doing for theirs. 

4 



THE ENDOWMENT 

When I came to the presidency practically all receipts from 
royalties on leased coal lands were used for running expenses. 
Now all of such receipts, amounting to about $10,000.00 annu- 
ally, are placed to the credit of the endowment fund. Then the 
endowment fund amounted to $2500.00. Now that fund, which 
is composed of Alabama bonds and land notes, amounts to 
$441,000.00, and the annual income is $20,000.00. The increase 
in the fund itself has been $438,500.00, or 17540 per cent, while 
the increase in the annual income from the fund has been 
$19950.00, or 39900 per cent. 

ALUMNI LOAN FUND 

The Alumni Loan Fund, established 25 years ago under the 
leadership of that stalwart and enthusiastic alumnus, James H. 
Fitts, has grown since 1902 from $4000.00 to $16000.00, an in- 
crease of $12000.00, or 300 per cent. Hundreds of young men 
and women have received assistance from this fund, and many 
who have graduated could not have done so without such as- 
sistance. 

COST OF ADMINISTRATION 

It has been charged that the University is not being eco- 
nomically administered. That there is no ground for this criti- 
cism is disclosed by a comparison with other institutions. For 
the session of 1908-9 the average maintenance cost per student 
in the state universities of Amercia was $303.00 while the 
amount expended here was $189.00, or only 62 per cent of the 
average. 

DEPARTMENTS AND COURSES 

In the college of arts and sciences new courses have been 
established in biology, chemistry, English, French, German, geo- 
logy, Greek, Latin, mathematics and physical training. 

In the college of engineering the departments of chemical, 
electrical, highway, mechanical and mining engineering have 
been organized, and new courses have been established in chem- 
ical, civil, electrical, highway, mechanical and mining engineer, 
ing. 

In the school of law several new courses have been added, 

5 



and the number of weekly lectures and recitations has been 
doubled. 

The school of medicine has been reorganized and closely 
articulated with the University. In both law and administration 
it is now as much an organic part of the institution as is any other 
branch. The school has been placed in class A by the council 
on education of the American medical association. 

The school of education has been established and has for 
its object the training of principals and teachers for high schools. 
It promises to render valuable services to the State in the high 
school development now in progress. 

The summer school for teachers has been established, the 
Legislature making for its maintenance a special annual appro- 
priation of $5000.00. Two thousand teachers and prospective 
teachers have been in attendance. It is impossible to estimate 
the good accomplished by this school. That it has been of great 
and lasting benefit to the University, to the State and to the 
teaching profession is conceded by all students of education. It 
was the forerunner of the numerous other schools of like char- 
acter, and may be called the mother of vacation schools in 
Alabama. 

The library has been reorganized after the most approved 
of modern systems, a professionally trained librarian has been 
placed in charge, and the sum of $10,000.00 has been expended 
for new books. 

The organization of a school of business administration has 
been suggested — not an ordinary so-called busmess college, in 
which book-keeping, stenography and typewriting are taught to 
immature and unprepared boys and girls, but a school of col- 
legiate grade, in which will be offered courses in commercial 
law, the law of real property, banking, economics, insurance, 
transportation, business administration, etc. 

EXPANSION OF FACULTY 

The faculty always unusually strong and efficient consider- 
ing the funds available for salaries, has been strengthened and 
expanded. Few institutions can claim a faculty containing a 
larger percentage of men who have made the maximum of 
preparation for their work. In the nomination of teachers, 

6 



preference has been given to those available men who were best 
qualified by training and experience, and without regard to 
politics, family influence, place of birth, denominational affilia- 
tion or religious creed. 

The positions established during my incumbency are as 
follows : The University deanship; the deanships of the college 
of arts and sciences, the college of engineering and the school of 
education; the professorships of education, secondary education, 
electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mining engineer- 
ing, rhetoric and public speaking, physical training, anatomy, 
physiology, pharmacology and bacteriology; the associate pro- 
fessorship of geology; the adjunct professorships of English, 
chemistry and mathematics; the instructorships in biology, 
mathematics, modern languages and physics; four teaching fel- 
lowships; the Y. M. C. A. secretarship; and the positions of bur- 
rar-registrar, superintendent of power plant, chief engineer, 
keeper of buildings and grounds, mechanician, assistant engi- 
neers, firemen and janitors. In 1902 the officers of administra- 
tion numbered 51; the number last year was 76. 

ENROLLMENT 

In 1902 the enrollment was as follows : academic depart- 
ment, 167; engineering department, 7; law department, 67; medi- 
cal department, 163. Total, omitting repetitions, 396. 

The enrollment this year was as follows : college of arts 
and sciences (academic department), 257; college of engineering 
(engineering department), 68; school of law (law department), 
80; school of medicine (medical department), 170; summer 
school for teachers, 269. Total, omitting repetitions, 840. 

The enrollment at Mobile remains practically unchanged, 
while in the college of engineering the enrollment has advanced 
from 7 to 68, an increase of 781 per cent. Combining the en- 
rollment at Tuscaloosa there has been an increase in the regu- 
lar session of 166, or 70 per cent. If the summer school be 
counted, the increase at Tuscaloosa is 435, or 182 per cent. 
Counting three students in the summer school as the equivalent 
of one in the regular session, the increase at Tuscaloosa is still 
considerably above 100 per cent. 

If for each preceding nine-year period since the opening of 
the University the percentage of increase in the regular session 
enrollment had been the same as that for the period under con- 
sideration, the enrollment would now be 5,813. 

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RAISING OF STANDARDS 

Nine years ago our academic degrees were not accepted at 
fall value by the standard universities. One of our most bril- 
liant graduates with the degree of bachelor of arts had recently 
spent two years at a standard institution in order to obtain the 
same degree. 

Now our degrees are recognized. The holder of our bache- 
lor's degree is admitted by standard universities as a candidate 
for the master's degree in one year. In other words, the Uni- 
versity has been raised to the national standard for admission 
and graduation, and it is no longer necessary for our young men 
and women to go to other states in order to obtain standard 
university training. 

This advance of two years upon the part of the University 
has contributed largely to the recent remarkable high school 
development in Alabama. When the advance was made there 
were not a dozen high schools with four-year courses; now there 
are 70 such high schools, 30 three-year high schools and quite 
a number of one and two-year high schools. 

This development would have been impossible if the Uni- 
versity had continued in competition with the high schools. 
Students cannot be held in the upper classes of the high schools 
if the colleges receive them before they have practically com- 
pleted the high school course. Besides, as was stated in your 
recent report to the legislature, "it would be an unwise and in- 
excusable expenditure of public funds unnecessarily to dupli- 
cate at the University the instruction which is available in the 
high schools." 

While on account of the advanced standards there has 
been no material increase in the enrollment during the last two 
years, but on the contrary a considerable decrease at Mobile, 
as soon as the period of re-adjustment is passed we may look 
for a steady and satisfactory growth. This has been the result 
elsewhere. Though, as stated in your legislative report, "it is 
unreasonable to expect the head of our educational system to 
exceed or even equal the lower branches of the system in the 
number of students enrolled. In any articulated system of 
schools, the higher the grade or division the smaller will be the 
enrollment and the greater the per capita cost for maintenance." 

8 



The thoughtless clamor for a larger enrollment could be 
met easily by a lowering of the entrance and graduation re- 
quirements. If the requirements were lowered to the standard 
of ten years ago, the enrollment in five years would probably 
approximate a thousand, but such a course would place the 
University in direct and unnecessary competition with the 
lower-grade state-supported institutions, and compel our youths 
to go without the best of university training, or to seek it at 
greater expense in other and more progressive commonwealths. 

The doubling of our enrollment by this method would not 
result in the building of a greater university; on the contrary, 
the result would be the destruction of the university we have 
developed. Students who are prepared to receive university 
instruction are as necessary as are buildings, libraries, labora 
tories and faculties. 

A thousand students of high school grade would not con- 
stitute a university. The head of a public school system should 
be in advance of the other branches of the system; otherwise 
there is no head, no system. It has been one of the policies of 
my administration to endeavor to place the University at the 
head of the State's public school system, and in the pursuance 
of this policy I have sought and received the hearty co-opera- 
tion of the public school forces. 

HIGH SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT 

It may not be generally known, but it is nevertheless a fact 
that the University more than any other agency has been re- 
sponsible for the development of high schools in Alabama. Six 
years ago, through the generosity of the General Education 
Board, a professor of secondary education was employed and 
placed in the field with the view of cultivating among the peo- 
ple, by visitation and by public and private appeal, a sentiment 
which would stand for the establishment, support and improve- 
ment of high schools. The effort succeeded beyond expecta- 
tions, and at the first session of the Legislature held thereafter 
the present high school law was enacted. 

Having been instrumental in the establishment of high 
schools, it was the duty of the University, as well as to its high- 
est interest, to co-operate in their organization and administra- 

9 



tion. Indeed, without such co-operation the movement would 
have been greatly retarded, if not completely destroyed. 

High school facilities are essential to the existence of uni- 
versities, and such facilities in adequate form are absolutely 
necessary to a university's best growth. For the University to 
stand in the way of the development of high schools would be 
suicidal. For it to resolve itself into a high school, as is de- 
manded by thoughtless critics, would be the acme of unwisdom. 

HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION 

The University took the initative three years ago in the 
organization of the Alabama Association of High Schools with 
the view of bringing about a closer articulation of the high 
schools with both the colleges and the elementary schools, and 
such has been the result. It is as necessary for the high schools 
to keep out of the field of the elementary schools, as that the col- 
leges should not trespass upon the domain of the high schools. 
This association is exerting a powerful and wholesome influ- 
ence in the revolutionary process now taking place in the re- 
organization of the State's educational system. 

ALABAMA COLLEGE ASSOCIATION 

Another important movement for which the University is 
responsible is the organization of the colleges of the State. The 
Alabama Association of Colleges was organized in 1908, and 
has for its objects the elevation of collegiate standards, the 
proper and uniform enforcement of admission and graduation 
requirements, the articulation of the colleges with high schools 
and the consideration of other problems relating to college 
administration. 

DISCIPLINE AND ATHLETICS 

Other criticisms relate to discipline and athletics, two un- 
solved and perplexing problems in every institution high or 
low, large or small. Our disciplinary regulations, as is the case 
in most other institutions of like grade and character, and as 
published in the catalog, "are few, simple and reasonable." "The 
honor system prevails," states the catalog, "and so long as stu- 
dents do the work required and conduct themselves in a be- 
coming manner, they are free to come and go at will. The end 
aimed at is self-government." 

10 



The number of cases calling for discipline is gradually 
growing smaller. While there have been occasional outbreaks 
of misconduct the general tendency is upward. This is attest- 
ed by those who have long been connected with the institu- 
tion, and is confirmed also by a reference to the records. 

In the administration of discipline it has been my policy as 
far as possible to endeavor to reach and save the individual 
student, and to that end to inflict the mildest punishments con- 
sistent with justice and the general good. Yet, in a number of 
instances, parents and students have felt aggrieved. It is very 
difficult so to administer discipline as to leave no ground for com- 
plaint upon the part of the offender and his parent or guardian. 

The comparatively few who have grievances of this char- 
acter are usually free with criticisms, while we seldom hear 
from the many who are satisfied with the manner in which dis- 
cipline is administered. It is gratifying that during my incum- 
bency no formal appeal has been made to the Board relative to 
matters of discipline. 

Perhaps that feature of my administration which has oc- 
casioned most dissatisfaction and criticism has been the policy 
pursued relative to intercollegiate athletics. How to encourage 
this popular form of student activities, and at the same time to 
hold the participants to a reasonable standard of scholarship 
and honesty, is a most perplexing problem in all of our colleges. 

A certain element demands of us winning teams. In order 
to secure such teams every conceivable pressure is brought to 
bear upon the authorities to induce them to condone, if not to 
participate actively in the playing of men who are failing in 
their studies, or who are known to be ineligible under the rules 
of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association with which 
the University is affiliated, and with the enforcement of whose 
regulations the president and faculty are charged. 

When I realized a few years ago that the authorities were 
being imposed upon by outside influences, that ineligible men 
were being paid money to register as students for the purpose 
of having them represent the institution on traveling athletic 
teams, and that at least one such man had been matriculated 
and graduated under an assumed name, I resolved that no such 
disgraceful imposition should again occur. I resolved also to 

11 



hold members of traveling teams of all kinds to a reasonable 
scholastic standard. The faculty endorsed this course, and hasv 
co-operated with me in the endeavor to follow it. Since that 
time the regulations as to scholarship and general eligibility 
have been firmly and effectively enforced, and as a result we 
have absolutely clean athletics at the University. 

This action is the basis of the many criticisms of the presi- 
dent and faculty relative to intercollegiate athletics. As for 
myself I do not consider the mere winning of athletic games to be 
the chief object of an institution of learning, and am unwilling 
to subordinate thereto all scholastic standards and ethical prin- 
ciples. I have no ambition whatever to preside over a corrupt- 
ly conducted athletic club though it be called by the dignified 
name of the University of Alabama. 

STUDENT BOARDING ASSOCIATION 

In keeping with the practice in many other colleges the 
boarding debartment for men has been turned over to the stu- 
dents and is now conducted on the co-operative plan through 
the student boarding association. The plan works satisfactorily 
and under it the students themselves do much of the work, such 
as performing the duties of steward and waiters at tables, for 
which services they receive reasonable compensation. Under 
the old plan students were unwilling to engage in this form 
of labor. 

UNIVERSITY SUPPLY STORE 

Another movement in which the students have co-operated 
was the establishment of the University supply store, which is 
conducted under the auspices of the student athletic associa- 
tion, the profits going to the support of college athletics. The 
store handles books, stationery, fraternity goods, athletic sup- 
plies, fruits, candies, etc. It is quite a convenience to students 
and officers and helps materially in meeting athletic expenses. 

THE Y. M. C. A. 

The Young Men's Christian Association has been reorgan- 
ized and placed under the direction of a trained secretary who 
lives with the students and devotes his entire time to religious 
work. About fifty per cent of the students are members of the 
association, and it is exerting a wholesome influence over the 
entire student body. Plans are under consideration for the 
raising of money with which to provide a separate building for 
the association. 

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OTHER STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS 

Among the student organizations established in recent 
years are the Glee Club and the Blackfriars. The former pro- 
vides for its members training in vocal music while the latter 
devotes itself to the study of the drama. They are traveling 
organizations and are developing a healthy college spirit among 
students and alumni. 

SCHOLARSHIPS ESTABLISHED 

Three scholarships have been established, namely, the 
James Harris Fitts Scholarship by Mr. James H. Fitts, the Fed- 
eration Scholarship by the Alabama Federation of Women's 
Clubs, and the Scholarship of the United Daughters of the Con- 
federacy. The first is a free scholarship worth four hundred 
dollars annually, open to men and women on equal terms, and 
available to those who propose to become professional teachers 
in Alabama; the second is a loan scholarship worth two hun- 
dred dollars annually, and open to women; the third is a free 
scholarship worth one hundred dollars annually, and available 
to descendants of Confederate Veterans. 

OFFICIAL STATE TESTING LABORATORY 

The engineering laboratories of the University have been 
designated by the Legislature as the official state testing labora- 
tory for cements and other materials of construction. Frequent 
and important tests of such materials are made for the people 
of the State. 

GREATER UNIVERSITY MOVEMENT 

While the first important feature of my administration was 
the abolishment of the military system of discipline in 1902, 
and the second was the establishment of the summer school in 
1904, that from which has come greatest results was the move- 
ment for a Greater University inaugurated in 1906, the year of 
the celebration of our seventy-fifth anniversary. That move- 
ment was the outcom.e of a conference with the president and 
secretary of the Society of the Alumni, and made possible 
practically all of the subsequent developments, especially those 
relating to income and equipment. The movement was carried 
to success before the Legislature under the able leadership of 
Mr. Hill Ferguson who was then president of the Society of 
the Alumni. 

13 



TO WHOM CREDIT IS DUE 

Not for a moment v/ould I be understood as claiming for 
myself all credit for what has been accomplished during my 
administration. That would be a display of rankest egoism. 
The achievements mentioned have been made possible through 
the co-operation of many agencies — the trustees, the faculties, 
the alumni, the students, the patrons, the educators, the editors, 
the legislators and the people generally. 

To two of the committees of the Board, the executive com- 
mittee and the building committee, should be accorded special 
credit; to the former, for the able manner in which the landed 
estate has been administered, the rapid growth of the endow- 
ment fund being attributable directly to its services; to the 
latter, for the wise expenditure of the appropriations for ma- 
terial equipment. 

To the Society of the Alumni, especially its officers, should be 
given the greatest meed of praise for the increased appropria- 
tions and the enlarged enrollment. The Society as a whole has 
been at all times sympathetic and co-operative. 

Special mention also should be made of the valuable ser- 
vices rendered by the faculty, without whose wise advice and 
cheerful co-operation much of the progress would have been 
impossible. 

ATTITUDE OF BOARD 

As I view the situation the conditions obtaining at the 
University are with one exception reasonably satisfactory. The 
exception is the changing attitude of the Board in the matter 
of according support to the administration. There is develop- 
ing a condition which if not checked threatens greatly to inter- 
fere with future progress. A tendency to drift back into the 
old practices that v/rought such havoc, is apparent. It mani- 
fests itself in various ways, especially in the growing disposi- 
tion of the Board in recent years, either directly or through 
committee action, to revoke presidental prerogatives originally 
conferred; to interpose in the administration of regulations per- 
taining to admission and graduation; to administer directly 
important internal details which in all successfully conducted 
institutions are delegated to the president and faculty; to ignore 

14 



the president in the consideration of important business trans- 
actions, such as the sale, lease, exchange and donation of lands; 
and generally to return to the policy of administration through 
political methods. 

Our relations are not sufficiently harmonious. I am not re- 
ceiving that consideration and support essential to continued 
success in the management of the University. My resignation 
has not been tendered because of my very great desire as far 
as possible to direct the expenditure of appropriations which I 
have been somewhat instrumental in securing, and if possible 
to establish more firmly the policies for which my adminisra- 
tion has stood; and because, further, of my hope that the former 
effectively harmonious relations might be reestablished. 

I would suggest therefore that while you are considering 
my relations to the Board and to the University, you give at- 
tention also to the relations of the Board to the University and 
to me, for these relations are both mutual and reciprocal, and 
whatever may be the outcome of this consideration regard 
should be had for all interests involved. Any action which falls 
short of this will be unwise and therefore inimical to the Uni- 
versity. 

It may be that those members of the Board elected since 
my accession to the presidency do not sanction the terms of the 
original agreement. It may be that those members who were 
party to that agreement no longer endorse its terms. In other 
words, it may be that the Board as now constituted does not 
believe in the policy of administering the affairs of the institu- 
tion through the president and faculty, rather than by direct 
initiative and effort. If this be true it should be so understood. 

CONCLUSION 

Given essential powers and accorded adequate support, I 
have no doubt of my ability to continue to administer the 
affairs of the University in a reasonably successful manner. In 
the absence of such powers and such support success would be 
possible to no man. Under satisfactory terms and conditions, 
I know of no position more desirable than the presidency of the 
University of Alabama; under unsatisfactory conditions and 
terms, I know of no position less desirable. 

Permit me in conclusion to say that with a formal endorse- 

15 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

019 757 695 9 



ment of my past administration and the assurance of adequate 
consideration and support in the future, I should be wiUing to 
continue the connection indefinitely. In the absence of siich 
action upon your part, please feel at liberty to proceed with the 
selection of another man. 

Respectfully submitted, June 30, 1911. 

JOHN W. ABERCROMBIE, 

President. 



FORMAL RESIGNATION 

Montgomery, Ala., July 1st, 1911. 
To The Board of Trustees, 

University of Alabama. 
Gentlemen : 

I hereby tender my resignation as President of the Univer- 
sity of Alabama to take effect at your pleasure, but not later 
than September 1st, next. I would suggest that the sooner you 
name my successor the better it will be for the University. 
Very truly, 

JOHN W. ABERCROMBIE, 

President. 



RESOLUTIONS OF BOARD 

Resolved, That the resignation of Dr. John W. Abercrombie 
as President of the University be accepted to take effect upon 
the selection by this Board of his successor, or upon Sept. 1st, 
1911, if a successor be not sooner elected. 

Resolved further, That during such time as Dr. Abercrombie 
may remain in office he shall have all of the power and au- 
thority which heretofore has been conferred upon him. 

Resolved further, That this Board heartily endorses the ele- 
vation of the entrance and graduation requirements brought 
about by Dr. Abercrombie, and has no idea of receding there- 
from, and that Dr. Abercrombie be and he hereby is requested to 
maintain the said requirements as long as he may remain as 
President of the University. 

Resolved further. That this Board recognizes that Dr. 
Abercrombie has given to the University earnest and effective 
service, and has been a most important factor in the establish- 
ment of a Greater University, and that his general policies have 
met with the endorsement and approval of the Board. 



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